Are There Problems With Medicare?

Americans do not have to look around long to determine that there are problems with Medicare. There are problems with the program’s budget, what it covers, and the declining reimbursements that doctors feared would happen. The solutions to each problem vary and some are the subject of intense political debate.

The average recipient may take an interest in the political debate in a broad sense, but it is not an immediate concern when he wonders how the premiums will affect him.

A Few Problems With Medicare for the Individual

The first of the individual problems with Medicare that a person might encounter is that this government-sponsored insurance policy does not cover everything he might need. Parts A and B cover hospitalization and services. Part D covers prescription drugs. The coverage is good, but not universal. A Medigap supplement can help resolve this issue.

The second of the individual problems with Medicare is that for some people the premiums are too expensive. They can get help with the premiums, but this requires filling out extra paperwork.Medicaid can fill the gap in some cases, but a patient must apply the low-income parts of Medicare will be applied for first.

Larger Problems With Medicare

Many doctors do not take new Medicare patients. Doctors pushed for and recently got a fix that would help with the declining reimbursement, but it was only a stopgap measure. Understanding whether a person has Medicare listed as his primary or second payer can help him get needed coverage. For patients in rural areas, it may require that a person drive long distances to get required care.

Medicare also has added to America’s ballooning deficits. The problems come from the rising costs and the number of people on it being greater than the original people intended. This is in part due to the fact that people are living longer.